The U21 Toulon Tournament was probably a Who’s Who of Premier League scouts.
The cream of Europe’s young footballing talent – those not selected for Euro 2016 – were on show in the South of France for the past week.
England, featuring Jack Grealish, defeated France 2-1 in the final to claim the trophy. The team also featured Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
PIC: Jack Grealish celebrates winning a European Championship (sort of) https://t.co/UKHliJgslP
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 30, 2016
Pickford is now 22 and spent the second half of last season with Preston North End. He is highly rated as a future prospect by the Black Cats and, it appears, Manchester United.
According to North East news outlet The Chronicle, United sent a scout to Toulon to scout Pickford and his performances.
The paper suggests that United see Pickford as a long-term replacement for David De Gea. However, the Spaniard is said to be content at the club now that Jose Mourinho has been installed. That view, of course, could dramatically change if United were to struggle in 2016/17.
It is more likely that Pickford, were he signed by United, would come in as De Gea’s understudy. United are said to be keen to get high-earning reserves Sergio Romero and Victor Valdes off their books.
Pickford is signed up with Sunderland until 2020 and Sam Allardyce would be extremely reluctant to part ways with the local lad.
